Method of packaging razor blades



Aprll 4, 1944. NADEAU METHOD OF PACKAGING RAZOR BLADES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1940 INVENTOR E055 NADE/N/ ATTORNEY A ril 4, 1944. R. NADEAU METHOD OF PACKAGING RAZOR BLADES Filed Aug". 8, 1940 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR BY Pass M0540 llilliiililil lllfllllllllllll ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 4, 1944 8 Claims.

This invention relates to razor blades. More particularly, my invention relates to an improved construction for a razor blade package and to a method of producing such package.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved razor blade package which shall possess certain novel features of construction so as to render the same moisture proof,

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved razor blade package of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which is adapted to be made in a continuous process.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved method for individually wrapping razor blades of the character described by means of a continuous process, which shall comprise relatively few and simple steps, which shall be relatively inexpensive topractice, which shall be characterized by its efficiency in operation and which at the same time shall represent a general improvement in the razor blade wrapping art.

Further objects of my invention will become apparent in the following detailed description thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevational view,-in diagrammatic form, of one type of apparatus suitable for practicing my improved method of wrapping razor blades;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating certain steps in my improved method;

Figs. 3, 4, and are enlarged cross-sectionviews taken substantially on the lines 33, 4-4 a and 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the wrapping strip illustrating the printed side thereof which constitutes the outer surface of the package;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are enlarged views of portions of the wrapping strip shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. ll) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a razor blade.

package completed in accordance with my invention;

Figs. 12 and 13 are views similar to Figs. land 2, but illustrating a modified form of my invention;

'Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are views similar to Figs. 7, 8 and 9 but relating to the Figs. 12 and 13 form of my invention; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken substantially on the lines l'I-IT and Iii-l8 of Fig. 16.

In the types of razor blade packages heretofore, manufactured certain inherent disadvantages were found to exist both in the completed package itself and in the process of producing such package. One such disadvantage in the package was METHOD or PACKAGING RAZOR BLADES v I l RossNadeau, Newark, N. J.

' Application August 8, 1940, sci-19.1 No. 351,858

found to lie in the inability to satisfactorily seal the same against moisture. Attempts to overcome this disadvantage have been made, such as for example, the provision of multiple wrappings, one of which was a waxed paper wrapping. This obviously increased the cost of wrapping blades and at the same time complicated the process without solving the problem of properly sealing the package.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I have illustrated aprocess for wrapping razor blades in which the above described disadvantages relating to the finished package as heretofore manufactured and the process heretofore practiced have been overcome. v,

In Figs. 1 to 11 I have shown one form of my invention in which a continuous web or strip 20 of a material suitable for wrapping razor blades is unrolled from asupply roller R. The said strip 20 is then passed over a tension roller 2! and through a printing device 22 of any suitable type well known to the art, where the underside of the strip, as viewed from Fig. 1, is printed. After emerging from the printing device 22, the strip is I again passed over another tension roller 23, and

on between a pair of rollers 24 and 25. These rollers 24 and25 are so constructed and arranged as to provide the said strip 20 with a pair of spaced, longitudinal score lines 26 which cause the portions 20a of the strip 20 between the iongitudinal edges thereof and the score lines 26 to normally assume a slightly bent-up angular position as shown in Fig. .3. The scored strip then passes between a pair of rollers 26 and 21 which are, so constructed'and arranged as to provide spaced pairs of aligned transverse slits 28 (see Fig- '7) extending inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the strip 20 for a predetermined distance, leaving a space S between the slits 28 which is uncut and integral with the said strip 20. Any

suitable arrangement may be provided for cutting the, slits 28, such as, for example, a plurality of circumferentially disposed cutting blades 29 on the roller 21 adapted to co-operite with and to be received within correspondingly positioned recesses 30 in the roller 26.

, After the strip 20 has been slit, as above described, it is fed between a pair of tension rollers 3| and 32. Simultaneously with the feeding of the said strip 20between the rollers 3| and 32, a naked sharpened razor blade 33 is fed between the said rollers 3| and 32 at predetermined spaced intervals and. is positioned on the strip 20 with the longitudinal axis of the blade 33 substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the strip 20. Any suitable blade feeding mechanism may be employed such as, for example, the blade feeding device shown and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 352,706, filed August 15, 1940. As shown in Fig. 1 a stack W of blades is held between a pair of suitable channel guides 34 and 35 and a pusher member 33 slidably mounted between the tracks 31, is arranged so as to be moved in a direction shown by the arrow 38, to

. dislodge the lowermost blade from the stack W and to cause the same to pass between rollers 3| and 32 and on to the moving strip 20. It is noted that each blade 33 is spacedbetween two pairs of aligned slits 23.

The next step in my improved process consists in folding over the angularly bent portions 20a of the strip 20 on the score lines 28 so as to overlap and thereby completely envelope the blade 33. Any suitable folding device may be employed to accomplish the folding operation, such as, for example, the folding device 40 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. The said folding device 40 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed cammed walls 4! and 42 supported by the table member 43 to form a channel passageway 44 through which the strip 23 passes so as to automatically cause the folding of the strip portions 20a inwardly towards each other. walls-'42 are so designed that the said strip portions 201: are at first folded slightly inwardly towards each other and as the strip 20 proceeds on its way the said walls 4| and 42 increase in overhanging angularity so that the portions 20a will be completely folded to overlapped position as shown in Fig. 5. In this latter position the blade 33 is contained in a tubular wrapping strip with the printing outermost. I

In accordance with my invention it is noted that the strip 20 contained on the roller R may be of the type which has first been provided with a coating 20!) of any known suitable waterproof adhesive substance. The said coating 20b is placed on the opposite side from that of the printed side so that when the strip 20 is fed between the rollers 3i and 32, the adhesive surface 20b will be uppermost. If desired. the adhesive substance applied tothesurface of the strip 20 may be of the type which willbe self-adhering so that when the flaps 20a between the slits 28 are folded over they will automatically adhere to each Y other so as to retain the blade in wrapped condition. If desired the adhesive material forming the coating on the surface of the strip 20 may be of such nature that upon the application of heat, the same will be rendered adhesive. One such type of material, which is rendered adhesive by the application of heat, is gutta-percha. When this latter type of coating material is employed a suitable heating element 45 either electric, steam or gas, may be mounted within the folding device 40 and so positioned that before the folded strip emerges from the folding device 40 the adhesive will be heated sufilciently to render the same plastic.

A pair of rollers 46 and 41 through which the folded strip is caused to pass after emerging from the folding device 40 may be of the type suitable for pressing together and adhesively securing the overlapped flaps 20a. The folded strip is then passed between another pair of tension rollers 43 and 49 and thence through a pair of co-operating cutting rollers 50 and which completely separates the individually wrapped blades from the strip by a cutting operation which severs the strip portion S between the slits 28. The rollers 50 and ii are similar in construction to that of the rollers 26 and 21, the roller 50 being provided with a pair of diametrically opposed blades 52 designed to be received in corresponding recesses 53 in the roller 5|.

Due to the nature of the adhesive substance As shown in Fig. 4 the forward end of the comprising the coating 20b as' hereinbefore described, the above described act of finally cutting the strip will automatically cause the cut edges to adhere as shown in Fig. 11. This will have 5 the effect of completely enveloping and sealing each individual blade 33 against moisture. In such instances where the blade 33 is of the type I which is provided with central openings, the action of the strip passing through the rollers 43 and 41 will cause adjacent adhesive surfaces to be Joined through the said opening. This will have the effect of preventing displacement of the blade within its wrapping so that the cutting edges of blade will not break through the wrapping as has been the case in the type of blade wrapping heretofore manufactured. It is also noted that the area N adjacent the notched ends of the blades will be adhesively secured to a flap 20b to further prevent displacement of the blade within the package.

In Figs. 12 to 17 I have shown a modified form of my invention in which the steps in my improved process are the same as that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11 form of my inven- 25 tion except as relating to the adhesive coating applied to the strip 20. In this modified form of my invention I prefer to feed an uncoated strip 20' to the rollers 3| and 32 and I provide a reservoir 55 containing a suitable waterproof adhesive substance which is kept in liquid or plastic condition by suitable heating elements 56. The bottom wall 51 of the reservoir 55 is provided with an opening 58 through which the adhesive is adapted to flow. The reservoir 55 is so mounted and synchronized that at predetermined intervals it will deposit a band of adhesive 60 transversely disposed across the widthof the strip as shown in Figs. 13 to 16 and between the blades 33.

It is thus seen that when the strip has been completely severed and the flaps 20a folded over in overlappping position the act of severing will cause the cutting edges to adhere and thus completely seal the ends of the wrapped razor blade.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle and operation of my invention, together with the apparatus and the article of manufacture which I now consider to represent the best embodiment,

but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also,

while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A continuous process method of wrapping razor blades comprising coating a strip of blade wrapping material with an adhesive substance, moving said strip of blade wrapping paper in an axial direction, depositing blades on said moving strip at predetermined spaced intervals, said strip being wider than said blades, folding over opposite longitudinal edges of said moving strip inwardly towards each. other to overlap and to form a tubular container which is retained in overlapped position by said adhesive substance and having blades contained therein, said blades being spaced from each other and cutting said tubular member transversely between adjacent blades to form individual blade packages, said adhesive substance being so positioned as to overlie the line of cutting and of such nature as to automatically seal the cut ends of each individual blade package by the pressure of the cutting action.

2. A continuous process method of wrapping razor blades comprising moving a strip of blade wrapping material having adhesive thereon in an axial direction, depositing blades on said moving strip at intermittent intervals with the axes of said blades parallel to the axis of said strip, folding opposite longitudinal edges of said strip while said strip is moving inwardly towards each other to overlap and form a tubular container having blades disposed therein in spaced relationship with each other, pressing the said overlapping edges together to cause said adhesive to effectively maintain said edges in overlapped position, and transversely cutting said tubular container between adjacent blades to form individual blade packages, said adhesive overlying the line of cutting and being of such nature that the said cutting action of said tubular container will seal the cut edges to hold the blade captive in the package and to render the said package moisture proof.

3. In a continuous process method of wrapping razor blades in which a strip of blade wrapping paper is continuously moved in an axial direction, the steps comprising scoring the said moving strip with a pair of longitudinal score lines spaced from each other and from the longitudinal edges of said strip, transversely slitting said moving strip at predetermined interval with pairs of aligned slits extending from opposite longitudinal edges inwardly to said score lines, leaving the space between said score lines uncut to form corresponding pairs of longitudinal flaps, and depositing on said movin strip and in each space defined by said score lines in one direction and by said pairs of aligned slits in the other direction, a blade.

4. In a continuous process method of wrapping razor blades in which a strip of blade wrapping paper is continuously moved in an axial direction, the steps comprising scoring the said moving strip with a pair of longitudinal score lines spaced from each other and from the longitudinal edges of said strip, transversely slitting said moving strip at predetermined intervals with pairs of aligned slits extending from opposite longitudinal edges inwardly to said score lines, leaving the space between said score lines uncut'to form corresponding pairs of longitudinal flaps, depositing on said moving strip and in each space defined by said score lines in one direction and by said pairs of aligned slits in the other direction, a blade and folding said flaps on said score lines inwardly towards each other and over said blade to overlapping position.

5. In a continuous process method of wrapping razor blades in which a strip of blade wrapping paper is continuously moved in an axial direction, the steps comprising scoring the said moving strip with a pair of longitudinal score lines spaced from each other and from the longitudinal edges of said strip, transversely slitting said moving strip at predetermined intervals with pairs of aligned slits extending from opposite longitudinal edges inwardly to said score lines, leaving the space between said score lines uncut to form corresponding pairs of longitudinal flaps, depositing on saidmoving strip and in each space defined by said scor lines in one direction and by said pairs of aligned slits in the other direction, a blade, folding said flaps on said score lines inwardly towards each other and over said blade to overlapping position and severing the uncut space between pairs of aligned slits to form individual blade packages.

6. In a continuous process method of wrapping razor blades in which a strip of blade wrapping paper is continuously moved in an axial direction, the steps comprisingscoring the said moving strip with a pair of longitudinal score lines spaced from each other and from the longitudinal edges of said strip, transversely slitting said moving strip at predetermined intervals with pairs of aligned slits extending from opposite longitudinal edges inwardly to said score lines, leaving the space between said score lines uncut to form corresponding pairs of longitudinal fiaps, depositing on said moving strip and in each space defined by said score lines in one directionand by said pairs of aligned slits in the other direction, a blade, folding said flaps on said score lines inwardly towards each other and over said blade to overlapping position, severing the'uncut spaces between pairs of aligned slits, and sealing the transverse ends of said package simultaneously with said last named cutting operation.

7. In a continuous process method of wrapping razor blades in which a strip of blade wrapping paper is continuously moved in an axial direction, the steps comprising scoring the said moving strip with a pair of longitudinal score lines spaced from each other and from the longitudinal edges of said strip, transversely slitting said moving strip at predetermined intervals with pairs of aligned slits extending from opposite longitudinal edges inwardly to said score lines, leaving the space between said score lines uncut to form corresponding pairs of longitudinal flaps, depositing on said moving strip and in each space defined by said score lines in one direction and by said pairs of aligned slits in the other direction, a blade, depositing adhesive material between said blades and transversely across said strip, folding said flaps on said score lines towards each other and over said blade to overlapping position and severing the uncut spaces between pairs of aligned slits, said adhesive overlying the line of cutting and being of such nature as to cause said out edges to be sealed off by the pressure of the cutting action to hold said blade captive and to render the package moisture-proof.

8. A continuous process method of wrapping razor blades comprising moving a strip of blade wrapping material coated with an adhesive substance, in an axial direction, depositing naked blades on said moving strip and overlying said adhesive, at predetermined spaced intervals, said strip being wider than said blades, folding over opposite longitudinal edges 01 said moving strip inwardly towards each other, the said fold lines being slightly spaced from the longitudinal edges of said blade, to form a tubular container with said blades therein disposed in spaced relationship, pressing opposed adhesive surfaces along the marginal edges surrounding said blade to cause them to adhere to form a moisture proof razor blade package, and cutting said tubular container transversely between adjacent blades to form individual blade packages.

--...ROSS NADEAU. 

